Preds Surprised by Wings in OT Loss

For the second time in two nights, Detroit's Todd Bertuzzi was the Wing's hero scoring two goals including the overtime winner as the Wings beat the Nashville Predators 3-2 in overtime.

With the score knotted 2-2 at 24 seconds into the overtime period, Pavel Datsyuk picked up an errant pass from David Legwand near the Wing's blue line and passed it ahead to Todd Bertuzzi who was able to get the puck past Pekka Rinne on the breakaway for his second overtime game winning goal in as many nights.

Even with the Predators picking up a point in the contest, there was definitely a losing feel to the locker room after the game.

"Even though it's Detroit, I know people always say getting a point against Detroit is good, but I think everyone was feeling that we could win the game and it was a little disappointing." lamented Preds Goalie Pekka Rinne.

The game started with more energy from the near capacity crowd of 16,673 than the Sommet Center has seen this season.

The teams committed two penalties each in the first period with Shea Weber cross checking Thomas Holstrom at 2:58 and Nicklas Lidstrom hooking Patric Hornqvist at 5:41. Brad May then was called for interference at 8:12. Shea Weber was whistled again at 15:13 for tipping. Neither team was able to capitalize on the man advantage.

The Preds experienced an early power outage as they did not record their second shot on goal until 13:03 in the first period. For the period, the Wings out shot the Predators 14 to 5, with a 23 to 10 disparity in the Corsi numbers. It would almost be considered a moral victory for the Preds to have escaped the opening period with a 0-0 tie.

The Preds weren't as lucky at the start of the second period. Todd Bertuzzi made scored at 1:21 on a very unusual 360 degree spin move to the left of the slot that appeared to baffle Preds goalie Pekka Rinne.

The Wings made it 2-0 at 11:37 when Pavel Datsyuk put a shot on goal that rebounded high and Drew Miller pulled the puck down and into the net behind Rinne. Wings goalie Chris Osgood received a rare assist on the play.

The Wing's Todd Bertuzzi was called for slashing at 13:01. At 14:44 Sullivan fired a slap shot from the right face off circle that Ryan Jones was able to tip into the Red Wing net for a power play goal to pull the Preds within one. Prior to the Preds goal the Wings penalty kill unit had been successful on 27 straight kill attempts.

The Preds were much more aggressive in the second period out shooting the Wings 19-8 but still only had one goal to show for the improved effort.

Shea Weber was called for roughing at 20:00 of the second period for some extracurricular activity after time expired. The Wings were unable to convert on the resulting power play at the start of the final period.

The Predators tied the game at 4:45 on an odd play where Ryan Jones fired a shot from the right face off circle that rebounded to the left side of Osgood where J. P. Dumont passed it to David Legwand who had a great position to put a perfect shot on net.

The teams again traded penalties. Marty Erat was called for hooking at 5:27 but the Wings were unable to produce off the man advantage. AT 14:15 Kirk Maltby was called for interference giving the Predators a timely opportunity that they were unable to convert.

Regulation ended with the score tied 2-2. The Predators out shot the Red Wings 11-6 in the third period.

The crowd had not settled in to the overtime period before Bertuzzi put an early end to the Predators with his game winning breakaway goal.

Jordin Tootoo was forced to leave the game after only three shifts when he was hit in the foot by one of Shea Weber's patented injury bombs. He will have an MRI on Sunday and is considered day to day at this time.

Barry Trotz indicated that a player may be recalled from Milwaukee to fill the void left by Tootoo's injury. It is speculated that Triston Grant who plays a sandpaper type game may be in line for some ice time against Columbus on Monday night.

Game Storylines

Ryan Jones Best Game of the Year...

Ryan Jones was clearly a standout player in the game, picking up a goal and an assist and logging almost fifteen minutes of play on 20 shifts.

"Since I was recalled, I feel like I've been bringing a lot of energy even though it wasn't showing up on the score sheet," Jones explained. Tonight, the pucks bounced a little bit my way. I was fortunate to be out front and Sullivan made a great shot and it went off my stick.

Barry Trotz was also complementary, "Jones was one of our best guys out there. He was really on the puck, he went hard, he went to the net, he got a goal. We started out slowly and he was one of the few guys doing well."

Todd Bertuzzi Scoring Two Big Goals...

In the last two games, Todd Bertuzzi has scored four goals and had two game winning goals in overtime for the Wings.

Pekka Rinne was surprised twice by Bertuzzi's goals. On his first goal, which was a spin-a-rama move, Pekka related, "I was waiting for a pass and there was no question I should have made that save."

On the overtime goal Rinne explained, "Klein was on his back and I thought there was no way he could go back to his backhand, but some how he pulled it off and got a nice goal."

Bertuzzi was humble in his success saying, "I've just been really concentrating on shooting and getting my feet moving. Right now they seem to be finding their way into the net."

Detroit Coach Mike Babcock was pleased with Bertuzzi, "He's been playing well for a while. He's just been snake bitten around the net. He's been a goal scorer for a long time and if he starts feeling it that will be a bigh help to us."

Predators Slow Start...

The Predators got off to a slow start offensively but played much better in the second half of the game.

"We had trouble getting going for the first 30 minutes," Barry Trotz explained. "They were winning a lot more of the puck battles than we were early. They had a sense of urgency."

When asked about the slow start, Ryan Suter did not have an answer, "That is a good question, you know, they were shooting the puck more even on the power play and then in the second we started to shoot the puck a little more."

Up Next...

The Predators have a day off from practice on Sunday but will travel to Columbus for a Monday night match-up with the Jackets before returning home for a game with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night.

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